Hyundai India’s Four Pronged SUV Attack – A Glimpse into the Future

Snapshot – In India, Hyundai wants to have a presence in every SUV segment between the 7-30 lakh rupee categories. The South Korean automaker’s plans have already been set in motion, what with two vehicles already straddling the two ends of the 7-30 lakh rupee price spectrum. Two more SUVs are on their way to the Indian car market. We’ll give you a glimpse on how Hyundai’s SUV portfolio for India will look like come 2018.

i20 Active Hatchback based Crossover

Hyundai has smartly capitalized on the i20 Elite hatchback’s platform to conjure up the i20 Active hatchback based crossover. This vehicle has been priced in Ford EcoSport territory, marking the South Korean automaker’s presence in India’s sub-4 meter compact SUV segment. Sold with 1.2 liter petrol and 1.4 liter turbo diesel engines, a tall ground clearance, sharp styling, premium interiors and acceptable ride and handling characteristics are selling points of this pseudo-crossover. Gauging by the incremental volumes that the i20 Active seems to be giving the i20 Elite, this vehicle could be the first real success of its segment, where the likes of the Volkswagen Cross Polo, the Toyota Etios Cross and the Fiat Avventura have only flattered to deceive.

iX25 Compact SUV

The iX25 will mark Hyundai’s big festive season launch this year. The compact SUV measures over 4 meters in length and is likely to square off against the Renault Duster and the Nissan Terrano as far as its pricing is concerned. The iX25 could also wean away buyers from the likes of the Tata Safari 2.2 DICOR and the Mahindra Scorpio Facelift. The new Hyundai will be the first real compact SUV from the brand for the Indian market. Petrol and turbo diesel engines will be on offer, with heavy localization intended to give designers enough leeway to pack in plenty of features and top-notch interiors at an attractive price point. The SUV is based on a monocoque platform and most variants will be equipped with a front wheel drive layout. The all wheel drive layout offered on this SUV sold in China, could make it to India too.

iX35/Tucson based Premium SUV

A new premium SUV based on the Tucson/iX35 is said to be under consideration for India. The launch timeline is quite stretched though, with 2018 being the year in which this vehicle could roll into the country. This timeline indicates that Hyundai may plan localization and local manufacture, as opposed to merely assembling the new premium SUV in India. Local manufacturing means that a price point that gives the Mahindra XUV500 the jitters could be arrived at. With the monocoque bodies Tucson/iX35 sold with petrol and diesel motors in international markets, similar options are likely for India. Hyundai also has front and all wheel drive layouts ready, along with manual and automatic transmissions.

Sante Fe Luxury SUV

The Santa Fe luxury SUV is the priciest offering in its segment. Yet, this vehicle is finding steady takers. Assembled from imported CKD kits at Hyundai India’s Sriperumbudur factory, off Chennai, the Santa Fe is the most opulent of its lot, spoiling its buyers silly with creature comforts. An imposing stance coupled with the looks enhanced by Hyundai’s Storm Edge design philosophy make the Santa Fe look decided-ly more expensive than it actually is. The monocoque bodied, 7 seat SUV is propelled by a powerful 2.2 liter-4 cylinder turbo diesel motor (194 Bhp-437 Nm), which gets 6 speed manual and automatic transmission options. Front wheel drive and all wheel drive layouts are on offer. This SUV is due for a facelift soon.

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